Smoking

Planning to Stop


The first thing to do is to pick a day to stop smoking. (When choosing a day to stop smoking, make sure that it's a day on which you will have minimal stress or people around you that smoke. Maybe the beginning of a working week will be best for you, or a holiday is always a good time.)


The night before: Before going to bed, throw out all cigarettes and ashtrays.
The big day: You have to break the habit of that first cigarette - and don't drink tea or coffee as this will make you want that cigarette. Go for a walk or a jog or have a relaxing bath. (Just don't have a cigarette.)
Ask for help: If your partner or members of your family or friends smoke, tell them what you are doing and ask them for help and understanding. Ask them to not smoke around you or offer you a cigarette. If your partner smokes, maybe you could give it up together.

Break your smoking habits: If you smoke while having a cup of tea or coffee, talking on the phone or after eating a meal, do something different. Drink water or orange juice and chew sugar free gum after a meal or when you are on the phone. (It might be a good idea to buy sugar free gum in bulk.)

Things to Avoid

Avoid public places where smokers frequent.
Don't drink alcohol for the first few weeks as alcohol is also addictive and alcohol can make you want a cigarette.
People tend to eat more when they give up smoking - don't! This will make your weight increase and make you miserable.

Things to Do

Keep active: Try exercising, swimming or jogging. Ask your midwife or doctor what type of exercise you can continue to do once you are pregnant.
Take up a new hobby: Try knitting, crafts, scrapbooking, etc. - anything that will keep you busy.
At the beginning of each day, congratulate yourself on having made it through another day. Make your goal to get through today without smoking.
Write a list of all the reasons why you want to stop smoking and pin them up all around your home and workplace as a constant reminder of why you are stopping. Here are a few you could use to help you: I want to give my baby a healthy start in life. I want to improve my own health. I don`t want my children to become smokers. I want to save money. I don't want to be addicted to anything. I don't want to smell of smoke. Try adding your own.
Every week or month that you do without a cigarette, reward yourself with a gift (flowers, your favorite bottle of perfume, new clothes, etc.) or you could save your money for a vacation or something that you have always wanted.

Good luck and don't give up. You can do it!

Michelle Graham